The plethora of spaces ripe for remodelling or renovation is endless, but one of the most potent components that can bestow or diminish a sense of design and usability, and that span the aesthetic and functional gamut, is cabinetry. And I’m talking about custom here; bespoke cabinetry is about marrying taste and utility to a specific space and architectural idiom, i.e., about art, craft and function. It is the art of the made object, which seems more soulful than store-bought ‘furniture’. The whole point of building a cabinet to fit an opening – to fit the soul, for that matter – elevates whatever piece of the puzzle you’re finishing: home or office.
Custom cabinetry is constructed by master craftsmen with an eye for detail, as opposed to off-the-shelf alternatives. It’s the difference between something that’s cut of a single cloth – both literally and figuratively. From block of wood to the finished product, every aspect bespeaks quality and uniqueness.
The phrase ‘You cant eat cabinets’ is often applied to these types of expenditures. Its the same warning anyone would give when sending you a gift of italy crystal. The reasoning: all that great custom wood, and you cant even eat it. The value proposition behind all that lovely cabinetry is that most of that money will be saved over a lifetime of ownership. This article explores why I think quality custom cabinetry is worth the expense from a long-term perspective.
The Long-Term Benefits of Quality Custom Cabinetry
Finally, the long-term rewards outweigh the initial outlay: these rewards come in the form of aesthetic appreciation. Custom cabinetry is far more likely to look good than stock cabinets. With custom-made pieces, every gap or void is filled, every input is optimised, and each unit complements the next. The overall effect is one of refinement, of professionalism.
Second, functionality: custom cabinets enhance your lifestyle, adapting to the way you actually live in your kitchen. They can anticipate your needs such that the items most accessed will be most readily available, those less accessed stored more efficiently. Through the customisation process, creative solutions are available to solve unique storage problems that off-the-shelf cabinets cannot.
Furthermore, quality custom cabinetry is made to last. Produced with better materials and techniques, these pieces withstand day-to-day wear much longer than similarly constructed big-box store pieces. As a result, less maintenance will be needed over the lifetime of the cabinets, thus saving money and inconvenience, and the very durability of the cabinets increases sustainability by reducing the need for frequent updating, as well as reducing the need for new materials.
The Investment: Cost Analysis of Quality Custom Cabinetry
This cost analysis will help people to understand the value proposition when they are investing in quality custom cabinetry There is no doubt that people invest a lot of money in their custom cabinetry and that’s why a cost analysis will help people to understand the value proposition when they are investing in quality custom cabinetry. Yes, the upfront costs of custom cabinetry is usually more expensive when compared to prefabricated options but that is because of the personal service, quality materials and skilled labor that goes into every single piece. When that cost is spread out over the life of the cabinets, annually the cost becomes much lower than replacing multiple sets of prefabricated cabinets.
Part of the expense of custom cabinetry buys you into a different world of raw materials. We’re not talking about basic ply-wood or thinly veneered particleboard and laminate. The range of high-quality hardwoods and exotic veneers available in custom cabinetry fall into a class of materials that aren’t available in ordinary cabinetry. So too does the quality of hardware – things such as glass or metal knobs and drawer pulls that can withstand daily use for decades without deforming or cracking.
Another thing to consider, then, is the cost of never having to retrofit, or sacrifice function. Prefab cabinets may need to be adapted to an irregular space or may not be suited to one’s storage needs initially, and fitting the puzzle pieces to make it work can add up in the end when it comes to labour costs. With a custom design, there is no extra consideration for fitting the cabinets to a space or function – a custom design is an intended design and that’s that.
The Quality Difference: Comparing Custom and Prefabricated Cabinetry
Comparing the quality difference between custom to prefab cabinetry is like comparing a bespoke (made to your measurements) suit versus buying a ready-made one at Bloomingdales. Both are made of the same components and fulfil the same basic purpose of a coat, but the level of fit, finish and choice of raw materials (fabric for a suit, wood for a cabinet) of the bespoke suit is on another level entirely.
When outfitting an entire kitchen with cabinets, this off-the-shelf approach means cabinets must be manufactured in batches, with standard dimensions (to fit walls of various sizes) and styles (to attempt to satisfy a wide variety of tastes). The inevitable result: poor fit and function. When prefab cabinets are inserted into a space that, say, is not perfectly square or that doesn’t have a strict 90-degree corner, then the cabinet typically needs to be hand-cut or trimmed. And while mass-market cabinets may be less expensive up front, their materials are of lower quality, so they have a shorter lifespan and can wear out long before you’re ready to replace them. They also might not be available in the finish you’re looking for.
Conversely, custom cabinetry is engineered (and hand-built) to work within the exact dimensions of your particular space. The finish, style and detail options are almost limitless, all of which can yield truly personalised kitchen cabinetry of the highest level of cohesiveness. The construction of custom kitchen cabinets is more frequently built using stronger and more durable joinery techniques than many prefab cabinets, employing dovetail or mortise and tenon joints instead of the stapling or glue common in many off-the-shelf units.
The Impact of Quality Custom Cabinetry on Home Value
The positive effect of quality custom cabinetry to home value is through direct and indirect methods.
To begin, when it comes to purely marketing in order to impress customers, having high quality custom cabinets, and their flawless ability to blend into the theme of the house can be a selling feature. According to the rules of any business successful sale usually result in more profits.When it comes to the structure of a house, having great cabinets can help the house stand out in the house’s real estate market. Higher prices are usually charged for desirable real estate and would most likely garner faster sale.
Less directly, there’s the aesthetic quality of custom cabinetry, which makes a positive contribution to the general impression a home conveys. A kitchen or bathroom constructed with beautifully finished cabinets gives an indication of the general quality of the property. purchasers often make inferences about general condition from such high-traffic areas.
Besides, custom cabinets can be outfitted with features that are in high demand today: soft-close drawers, in-drawer organisers, eco-friendly materials. Those features can enhance the home’s appeal to ‘greenie’-focused buyers, as well as attract those who seek contemporary offerings.
Making the Investment: How to Choose a Custom Cabinet Maker
Yet, with a large investment on the horizon, too many people skip the education part and jump to the investment stage without much consideration of the who and how. If you are looking to invest in quality custom-made cabinetry, a Google search of kitchen cabinet makers in your area is a good place to start to see who might be in your market. Look at their websites and establish if you like their work, and whether the style suits your needs. Even better are surefire ways of ensuring you are hiring a reputable craftsman. Take references from friends, family and customers who have used the cabinet maker and invite them to share honestly about their experience.
It’s important to be open and honest in how you explain what you are looking for, what your budget is, and what you expect from your custom cabinet, along with any special needs you have. A good custom cabinet maker will listen to your needs and help you design the collection that is perfect for your home, within your budget. They will share with you how it will be built or constructed and what it will look like, and give you an accurate time to complete the work.
Moreover, ask what guarantee or warranty they will offer with their work. The cabinet maker with full faith in his craftsmanship will usually offer some sort of guarantee on the longevity of his cabinets. Furthermore, his guarantee covers your money.
Conclusion: Is Quality Custom Cabinetry Worth the Investment?
To sum up, custom cabinetry is a major investment in terms of aesthetic beauty, functionality and durability of a home or office space. Sure, the initial cost of the custom cabinets is higher than that of the prefabricated ones but all the long-term perks make the cost worthwhile when you compare it to the price of other types of cabinets with lower quality.
Perhaps your house already has plenty of architectural interest, original furnishings, and beautiful antiques. Even so, custom cabinetry adds beauty and personal function to your home. If you want your kitchen to be easy to clean and reflect your particular style, custom cabinetry is the way to go. It, along with the property itself, increases the value of your home. And what about the future? We know that it is easier to repair these pieces and keep them in working condition for many years. The initial cost of quality custom cabinetry is not really an expense but a wonderful investment in the future of your home.
If you are ready to go beyond cookie-cutter furniture and know that you want your cabinetry to have the longevity that quality cabinetry does, enter the wonderful world of custom cabinetry! It can be quite a journey, but if you are willing to go the distance with the right custom cabinet-making shop and a knowledgeable remodel consultant, the end results can be breathtaking and durable. So, yes, quality custom cabinetry is worth it.
